1 companies facing lawsuits over vision loss

Key Points:

• Several companies producing GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound are facing lawsuits from patients alleging the drugs caused permanent eye damage, specifically nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which can lead to sudden and permanent vision loss.
• Nearly 100 lawsuits have been filed in New Jersey since 2025, with additional cases from Philadelphia, amid mixed research findings regarding the potential link between GLP-1 drugs and NAION.
• NAION is rare and typically affects people over 50; even if GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide double the risk, the incidence would remain very low at about two cases per 10,000 users.
• Manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly deny a significant connection between GLP-1 drugs and NAION, noting that diabetes patients are already at higher risk for vision problems and citing extensive safety data for semaglutide.
• The FDA is investigating the possible link, although current GLP-1 drug labels do not include warnings about NAION, unlike some international regulators; patients concerned about risks are advised to consult their healthcare providers.